While most of the U.S. population speaks English or Spanish, many other languages are spoken across the country. The most common language in Arkansas, after English and Spanish is Marshallese. https://www.visualcapitalist.com/most-common-language-spoken-in-the-u-s-map/
Approximately 180 countries around the world designate official national languages, and most countries recognize multiple official languages. However, the United States and the United Kingdom do not have an official language. English is the dominant (and assumed) language in the U.S., but more than 20% of the U.S. can speak a language other than English (68 million out of 340 million people). The U.S. has the second largest population of Spanish speakers in the world. Many other languages are also spoken across the country. The languages currently spoken the most in the US after English and Spanish are Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese and Arabic, and 1 million people use American Sign Language. In Arkansas, the most common language after English and Spanish is Marshallese. The United States is a country of MANY languages!
“President Trump’s executive order is a thinly-veiled attempt to allow federal agencies to discriminate [based on language]…People who speak another language other than English are just as American as those who do. That’s been true since the founding of our country”
Statement issued by the Asian Pacific American, Hispanic and Black Caucuses of Congress
The founders of the U.S. did not feel it was necessary to designate English as the official language nor did they want to alienate the many people who spoke other languages. At times, like during World War I and World War II, state executive orders and policies attempted to suppress the use of languages other than English in everyday conversations, schools and even churches but time and again these laws and policies were judged unconstitutional. In 1990, the U.S. Congress passed the Native American Languages Act recognizing the importance of indigenous languages and apologizing for past policies that tried to kill these languages. Congress committed through this law to preserve and promote the languages spoken by the people who lived here before–more than 160 languages.
There are more than 30 US states which have designated English as the official language of government and some have passed laws about how language can be used and taught in schools. Alaska and Hawaii have actually added several native languages as official languages also. Many states are in between – they provide interpretation and translation and offer some multilingual language support in schools and other services. The federal government has only required government agencies to provide interpretation and translation since 2000. Though Republicans have led efforts in the past to label English as the country’s official language, as recently as 2021, Congress has not passed anything into law.
On February 28, 2025, Donald Trump issued an executive order making English the official language of the United States. This could mean that federal agencies will no longer be required to provide language services to non-English (or limited English) speakers. The supposed rationale for this policy is to improve government efficiency and promote national unity. Agencies would still be able to offer language access to non-English speakers, however they would not be required by the federal government.
The Asian Pacific American, Hispanic and Black Caucuses of Congress have issued the following statement: “President Trump’s executive order is a thinly-veiled attempt to allow federal agencies to discriminate against immigrants and individuals with limited English proficiency. Under the new order, agencies would not be required to provide language access for services (like Social Security and Medicare) that these Americans have paid for with their taxes. English remains the de facto language of our nation, but people who speak another language other than English are just as American as those who do. That’s been true since the founding of our country. We will not let President Trump change this fact, and we will fight to protect Americans’ right to access federal services in any language.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Chairs of the Congressional Tri-Caucus—Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06), Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), and Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chair Rep. Yvette Clarke (NY-09)—released the following joint statement in response to President Trump’s executive order declaring English as the official language of the United States.
“President Trump’s executive order is a thinly-veiled attempt to allow federal agencies to discriminate against immigrants and individuals with limited English proficiency. Under the new order, agencies would not be required to provide language access for services that these Americans have paid for with their taxes.
“What happens when a senior with limited English proficiency needs help accessing their earned Social Security benefits? Or when a non-native English speaker needs help enrolling in Medicare?
“Trump claimed he would fight for everyday Americans. He’s done just the opposite. This executive order is reckless and only serves to make life harder for working people.
“English remains the de facto language of our nation, but people who speak another language other than English are just as American as those who do. That’s been true since the founding of our country. We will not let President Trump change this fact, and we will fight to protect Americans’ right to access federal services in any language.”
Joint Statement from Tri-Caucus Chairs on President Trump’s Executive Order Declaring English as Official Language
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